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Plants of the month: Tree Collard and Quail Bush

Our plants of the month are Tree Collard (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) and Quail bush (Atriplex lentiformis). Tree collard is a perennial edible plant in the kale family that is super nutritious and high in Calcium.

It lives up to 20 years or more and reaches reported heights of up to 18′ with support! It can be harvested year round and develops a purple color in cooler temperatures. Cuttings most easily propagate it, as it rarely goes to seed.

Quail bush is a native that is very alkali tolerant. It is a good plant for windbreaks, borders, and range management. It is drought tolerant and will survive on 5-10 inches of rainfall in full sun and poor soil. The salt they accumulate in their leaves allows them to extract water from the soil other plants cannot.

The whole plant is edible and the young shoots are suitable for greens, great for adding a salty touch to your salads. Quail and other birds use the seeds for food and the foliage for habitat.